Barty wins biggest career title in Zhuhai

Ash Barty is projected to rise to a career-high ranking of No.15 after claiming the WTA Elite Trophy title in Zhuhai, China - capping her 2018 season on a high note.

Zhuhai, Guangdong, China, 4 November 2018 | AAP

A career-high ranking and an all-important top-16 seeding at January’s Australian Open look on the cards for Ash Barty after the Australian won the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, China.

Barty powered to a 6-3 6-4 win on Sunday over local hope Wang Qiang in 82 minutes to claim her second title of a consistent year – and the biggest of her career.

With it comes a projected rise to No.15 in the world when the WTA rankings are released on Monday, positioning her well to avoid higher-ranked players until at least the fourth round at Melbourne Park.

Barty burst out of the blocks against Wang to take a 4-0 lead but, just as it looked like the opening set was over, the Chinese took advantage of some sloppy service games from her opponent to get back to 4-3.

But the Australian broke once more and served out the set.

Wang looked well-positioned to get back into the match but couldn’t fashion a break against Barty and ultimately paid for her missed chances in the seventh game.

A slew of unforced errors handed her opponent the only break of the set and Barty eventually closed out the match on serve with a backhand smash.

“It’s been a great finish in China this week,” said Barty, who completes her season in the best possible way.

“It’s been a phenomenal year and I’m looking forward to a bit of holiday and then getting ready for the Australian summer.”

Barty had her share of luck to even make the tournament decider after losing her opening-round robin-match in straight sets to Aryna Sabalenka.

The Queenslander defeated Caroline Garcia in straight sets in her second match; the Frenchwoman then went on to beat Sabalenka in straight sets in their clash to allow Barty to sneak into the semifinals.

Barty took full advantage, taking down world No.14 and defending champion Julia Goerges in the semifinal before beating Wang in the decider, collecting A$828,000 for her week’s work.

The win caps another strong year for Barty who had started 2017 ranked 325th in the world after a two-year sabbatical from the game and spending time playing cricket.

It is her third WTA singles title, adding to her breakthrough 2017 trophy at the Malaysian Open and this year’s grasscourt win in Nottingham.